I will speak your law before kings, and I will bear witness without fear. I delight in your commandments, which I love, I love more than anything else

 

I will speak your law before kings, and I will bear witness without fear. I delight in your commandments, which I love, I love more than anything else (Ps 118:46ff).

In the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea, by order of Herod Antipas, John the Baptist was beheaded. He died a martyr for his consistency with the message he preached. The celebration of his martyrdom has ancient origins: in the 5th century, in France; in the 6th century, in Rome. May his courage and strength encourage us to persevere in the practice of justice. First Reading: Jeremiah 1:17-19 A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah – In those days, the word of the Lord came to me: 17“Come, put on your clothes and gird yourself, and stand up and tell them everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid, or I will make you tremble before them. 18For I will make you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, a bronze wall, against the whole world, against the kings of Judah and its princes, against the priests and the people of the land. 19They will make war against you, but they will not prevail, for I am with you to defend you,” says the Lord. – The word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 70(71) My mouth will proclaim your righteousness. 1. In you, O Lord, I take refuge; / let me never be put to shame. / For you are righteous; defend me and deliver me. / Hear my voice, come and save me! – R. 2. Be a rock for me, / a stronghold that saves me. / For you are my strength and my refuge, † my refuge and my trust. / Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked. – R. 3. For you, O Lord God, are my hope; / in you I have trusted from my youth; / you have been my support from before I was born, / my refuge from my mother’s womb. – R. 4. My mouth will proclaim your justice and your countless mercies every day. / You have taught me from my youth, / and to this day I proclaim your wonderful deeds. – R. Gospel: Mark 6:17-29 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of the Lord’s justice, / for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! (Mt 5:10) – R. A reading from the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark – At that time, 17Herod had John arrested and bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Therefore Herodias hated him and wanted to kill him, but she could not. 20 For Herod was afraid of John, because he knew that he was a righteous and holy man, and so he protected him. He loved to listen to him, even though he was embarrassed when he did. 21 Finally the appropriate day came. It was Herod’s birthday, and he gave a great banquet for the nobles, the officials, and the prominent citizens of Galilee. 22 Then Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, pleasing Herod and his guests. Then the king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he swore to her, “I will give you anything you ask, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and asked her mother, “What shall I ask for?” Her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25And she hurried back to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter.” 26The king was very sad, but he could not refuse, because he had sworn the oath in front of the guests. 27Then the king immediately sent a soldier to get John’s head. The soldier went out and beheaded him in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. 29When John’s disciples heard about it, they went and took his body and buried it. – Word of salvation. Reflection: John the Baptist, “the greatest among those born of women,” according to Jesus’ eulogy, dies by beheading on Herod’s orders. The episode takes place in the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea. The celebration of the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist has ancient origins (5th century in France; 6th century in Rome). It is linked to the dedication of the church built in Sebaste, Samaria, over the supposed tomb of the precursor of Christ. His martyrdom occurred during a banquet that Herod had offered “to his magnates, to his officials and to the great men of Galilee”. On this occasion, the king indulged the whims of Herodias’ daughter, who asked for John’s head. The daughter was as senseless as the mother was evil and ruthless. The prophet passed away, but his testimony of fidelity to God remained forever. (Daily Gospel 2024)